Top Ten Tuesday – Reasons I Love Reading

Today’s Topic: Reasons Why I Love Reading

Hosted by: That Artsy Reader Girl

I’m always baffled by people who don’t enjoy reading. Honestly, I wonder what is wrong with them, but then I have to remind myself not to judge. Everyone has different interests and passions. However, I still feel sad for those people because I feel they are missing out on one of the great experiences of life. Here are a few reasons I love to read:

1. Time Travel – as someone who has always loved history, I love how a well written historical novel can immerse me in a period and a culture which would have to be left to my imagination otherwise
2.  Armchair Travel – Speaking of travelling (which is something I also love to do), a contemporary book can instantly transport me to Russian, small town Arkansas, South Africa or Chicago for only the cost of the book. With Covid restrictions last year, that was something I valued even more than usual
3. Living Other Lives – reading a book allows me, through vicarious experience, to become a fearless spy for a black ops team, a baker in a small dusty Texas town, or an actress working for her big break. I live a thousand different lives. A side benefit of that is that it gives me a better understanding and more compassion for people who think, act or live differently than I do.
4. Honing my wordsmith and vocabulary skills -I really believe that learning to read at a young age instilled in me a love of language. A well turned phrase brings me such pleasure and learning new words to use in my daily life challenges me in good ways. I’ve developed a strong believe in the power of language to move, shape and influence people and culture.
5. Making new character friends – Does anyone else get attached to characters to the point where they feel like your friends? This is one of the main reasons I am a proponent of re-reading a favorite story. Because it feels like returning home to visit old friends again. The story never changes, but there is something comforting in that constancy
6. Making new real friends – Whether it be other readers or the authors themselves, reading has connected me with people who share my passion. It’s nice to have a tribe of people who understand my love for story even if we only meet online.
7. Discovering new authors – One of the things I love best is to find new favorite authors to add to my already very long list. I look at it a bit like a treasure hunt, but when I stumble across a new one, I get a thrill out if it. Of course, I then have to share that discovery with fellow readers.
8. Familiar voices – When I find an author I enjoy, I am loyal. I will buy and read every book they release. Part of that is because I’ve become familiar with their style  and I trust them. It’s nice to pick up a book and know what to expect and to hear that author’s  voice woven through out.

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